Mop



J. E. ERICSQN Filed Dec,

Patented July 14, 1942 U NIT-E D :STATEE E. N T 0 F? ICE.

20 Claims.

wherein both the-mop plate and wringer member aredisposed in an improved location rela tive to the handle and one another, in such manner'as to producean improved balance structure and one wherein the-mop cloth is also very conveniently wrung whenever desired. Other objects of my invention are to provide an improved plate member for such a mop, and improved connections for the opposite ends of the mop cloth, whereby the latter may be readily connected to or removed from the mop, "and also having improved means for wringing the mop whereby a very effective wringingaction is obtained. Stillfurther objects of myinvention are to provide such an improved construction especially adapted-to-use in connection with an endless tubular-mop cloth, and'such a construction which is light and-well balanced in use, while being inexpensive to manufacture and-requiring only a small-number of parts, These and other objects and advantages of my improved construction will,'howevenhereinafter more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawing, I have shown for purposes of illustration one embodiment which my inventionmay assume in practice.

In this drawing Fig. l is a top plan view of a mopof my improvedconstruction 'whenin use, the handle being broken away'to "facilitate illustration;

Fig. 2 is a side-elevation of the construction shown in Figure 1, when in mopping position;

Fig.3 is a view "similar to Figure 2, showing the position of the parts'of the mop when the latter israised from the floor;

Fig. 4 is atop plan 'viewof this construction during wringingof the mop cloth;

:Fig. 5Jis a side elevation of the device when the parts are inth'e'wringingposition shown in Figurei;

Fig. .6 is a perspective view showing the parts of the-mop when the' mop cloth is removed;

the front extremity of the handle I. ferrule III is formed in one piece and has por- Fig. '7 is a detailperspective view of the front connecting member forthe mop cloth, and

Fig. 8 is-a perspectiveview of the-rear wringer member.

In this illustrative construction, I have shown my improved mop as carried by a usual handle I and having an improved bottom mop cloth pressing plate 2 and an improved front connecting member 3 and improved rear wringing member 4 operatively connected to the opposite ends of a mop cloth-5 of endless tubular construction.

Referring more particularly to the mop cloth pressing plate 2, it will be observed that the same is fiat and of generally rectangular shape, but

wider than it is long, and provided with an upturned front edge 6. Herein, also, this late has laterally spaced ears I struck up therefrom at one side of the longitudinal center line of the plate, herein to the right of that center line. These ears '1 provide supports for a pivotpin or rivet-8, hereina fixed pin suitably connected thereto and extending horizontally between these ears. As shown, this pin alsoextends through depending ears 9on a front ferrule II] which is suitably fixed, as'by suitable transverse connection means, as, forexamplanails or rivets I I, to Herein, the

tions I 2 bent around the handle and fixed thereto by the connecting means I I, while having said portions spaced longitudinally from one another at the bottom as by a space I3. Also, theears 9 are extended down inside the upstanding ears I on the plate 2 and rotate freely on the fixed pivot pin 8. Attention is further directed to the fact that striking up the ears 1 also provides openings I4 in the plate, while other openings I5, I6 and I! are provided therein, in such manner as=to permit the passage of water up through the plate while lightening the latter, As shown, the plate 'is also provided with a notch III inits rear edge and on the right handside of the longitudinal center line of the plate, this notch being adapted to engage the portions I2 on the ferrule I0 when the plate is bent back relative to the "handle, as when in wringing position.

Cooperating with this improved plate 2 are also the improved holding means 3 for the front end of the mop cloth 5. Herein, the member 3 is of'rod form and shorter than the portion of the plate 2 in front of the pivot 8, and on its front end also has a slot portion I9 in which the endless mop cloth 5 is disposed during use. As shown, a pair of arms 2|] projects rearwardly from the rearbar 2| of this member3 to provide between the same a passage of the mop cloth into its operative position on the front bar 22 of the member 3. Herein, these rearwardly extending arms 20 are disposed directly in front of the handle ferrule l0, and the ears I and 9 on the plate 2 and ferrule I0, respectively, i. e., also at one side of the longitudinal center line of both the plate 2 and front connecting means 3. As shown, these arms 20 are of spring material and converge slightly when pressed laterally together and have upwardly extending hooked portions 23 on their rear ends, adapted to be received and hooked under the pivot pin 8 while being disposed inside of the depending ears 9 on the handle ferrule ll]. As a result of this construction, it will be evident that the mop cloth may be readily passed between the rearwardly extending arms 20 and disposed in its operative position on the front bar 22, with one edge of the endless cloth first inserted between the arms 20 and pulled over in the longer portion of the slot l9 until substantially the whole width of the cloth is in said longer portion, whereupon the other edge may be readily inserted in the shorter portion. Further, the arms 20 may have their upwardly extending hooked ends 23 readily hooked in under the pivot pin 8, in such manner as to cause the parts to be securely positioned together. Moreover, it will be evident that whenever it is desired to remove the mop cloth, it is only necessary to release the rear end thereof as hereinafter described and then swing upward the front support 3 to cause the arms 20 to cam free their hooked ends 23 from the pivot pin 8 and thus separate the front support and the mop cloth from the rest of the mop.

Cooperating with my improved construction above described is also improved wringing mechanism operating on the rear mop cloth support 4 and carried on the handle I in rear of the ferrule H). Herein, a ferrule 24, generally similar to the ferrule l0 and, as shown, a duplicate thereof, is suitably fixed to the handle I at a point above the ferrule ID, as, for example, by a plurality of nails or rivets or other suitable connecting means 25 at opposite ends of the ferrule. Here however, it will be observed that this member 24, instead of having ears extending downward, has ears 26 corresponding to the ears 9 and extended at right angles to the latter ears,

these ears 26 in the form illustrated, extending to the left of the handle I. Moreover, suitable registering apertures 21 are provided in these cars, so that these apertures lie substantially in the longitudinal center line of the plate 2. Journalled in these apertures is also a suitable crank member 28 having below the bottommost ear 26, an improved wringing member 29, herein slotted in construction and comprising oppositely disposed bottom portions 30 and 3| spaced vertically from one another, and one overlying the other, all in such manner as to provide a lateral entrance slot or passage 32 between these portions 3!], 3|, and a mop cloth receiving and supporting slot or portion 33 above the upper member 36, F

in such manner as to enable the mop cloth to be threaded first into one end and then into the other in a general manner heretofore described in connection with the front support. Here attention is also directed to the fact that this member 29, while narrower than either the plate 2 or the front connecting member 3, is substantially symmetrically disposed relative thereto, extending approximately equal distances on opposite sides of the crank 28. while it will, of

course, be understood that this member 29 will rotate bodily with the crank 28 as the latter is turned about its pivots in the holes 21 in the ears 26.

In the operation of my improved construction, the mop, when in use, is disposed as shown in Figure 1, wherein it will be observed that an effective downward pressure is obtainable by the plate 2, while the latter and the front and rear connections 3 and 4 act with the mop cloth 5 to produce a balanced construction which is very light and convenient in use while obviously being adapted to do clean work Here, it will also be noted that the construction is such that by reason of the cloth 5 and its cooperation with the members 2 and 3, the latter member is prevented from being accidentally swung upward into its pivot pin releasing position, thereby eliminating any need for a front clamp while always enabling the member 3 to be movable into its re leasing position whenever the cloth 5 is first released from its rear support 4. In use. the member 3 is also effectually protected, the fron end thereof being both in rear of the upstanding flange 6 on the plate and also being covered by the mop cloth, so that accidental bending or twisting of this member is prevented. Also when the mop is lifted away from the floor for wringing, the plate 2 automatically swings from its position flat on the floor, shown in Figure 2, to the angular position shown in Figure 3; this being due to the weight of the mop cloth and its connection to the front connection 3 and the fact that the mop cloth overlies the upturned end 6 of the pivot plate in such manner as automatically to depress the front end thereof and cause the notch I8 to engage the parts 12 of the ferrule I 0 as an abutment, while the whole inter mediate portion of the mop cloth drops down as illustrated in Figure 3. Thus, when it is de sired to wring the mop, and the handle 28 is rotated, the mop cloth 5 is accordingly free to be rotated into its wringing position, shown in Figures 4 and 5, wherein it will be noted that very effective wringing action is obtained, the cloth being twisted over substantially the full length of the same, i. e., from the rear support 29 forward to a point adjacent the front support 3, all in such manner as very thoroughly to wring the mop. Obviously, by reverse rotation of the crank 28, the mop cloth is returned to mopping position after wringing, with the cloth then disposed again in the relation shown in Figure 3, ready for the plate to be again moved into its position shown in Figures 1 and 2. i. e., flat on the floor whenever the mop is moved into contact with the floor.

As a result of my improved construction, the several necessary operations are so facilitated as to enable the mop to be useable without unduly tiring the user. For example, the automatic operation of the plate 2 and of the mop cloth 5 in swinging clear of one another when the mop is lifted from the floor, markedly facilitates the wringing operation. Attention also is directed to the fact that, due to the disposition of the wringer member 29 on a pivot lying approximately in the center line of the plate 2 and front connection 3, the operation of wringing is also markedly facilitated, all tendency of the mop handle to turn or twist in the hand and thus produce a tiring strain, being effectually overcome, while an effective and long wringing action is obtained on the mop cloth. Attention is also directed to the facility with which a mop cloth may be strungon the mop, or removed therefrom when detachable hooked ends23 permitsthis member to 'be readily removed from the mop and the ready slipping of the front end of the clothbetween these arms into its operative position between the bars 2| and'22. It will further be evident-that'the member 3 may then bereadily reconnected to the mop by simply slipping the hooked ends 23 under the pin 8. When the cloth is'thus connected to its frontsupport 3, the slack therein, illustrated in Figure 3, also permits the cloth to be readily connected to its rear support 4 by passing the cloth between the members 39, 3| and into the passage 33 on the member 28 while the latter remains connected to the handle.

Attention is'furtherdirected to the fact that although herein I have shown the crank 28 pivoted at the left-hand side of the handle I, the ferrule 24 may be reversely disposed, in such manner as to have its ears 26 disposed tothe right of the handle, if desired; the location of the ears I on the plate 2, andthe arms 20 on the front member 3, then, of course, being reversed and placed on the opposite side :of the center line of the plate. Thus, obviously, the mop may be furnished in different forms especially adapted to use by a right or left-handed operator. It will also be observed thatthe mopsstructure is of i a' rugged character and comprises a small number of inexpensive parts, in such manner as "not only to enable it to withstand long use in service, but also to be inexpensively produced. These and other advantages of my improved construction will, however, be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art. I

While I have in this application specifically described one form which my invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that the samehas been shown for purposes of illustration, and that my invention may be modified and embodied in other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope-of the appended claims.

What I claim. as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A mop having a handle, amop cloth pressing plate member having said handle pivoted thereto at one side of the longitudinal center line of said plate member and spaced inwardly from the adjacent side of said plate member, and front and rear mop cloth supports substantially symmetrically disposed with respectto said plate member and including a rear wringer rotatable about an axis laterally spaced from said handle on the side-thereof adjacent said center line.

.2. A mop havinga handle, a mop cloth pressing plate member having said handle pivoted thereto at one side of the longitudinal center line of said plate member and spaced inwardly from the adjacent side of said plate member, and front and rear mop cloth supports substantially symmetrically disposed with respect to said plate member, including a front support having a pivotal connection to said plate member symmetrically disposed relative to said handle pivot, .and rear wringing means carried by said handle on the side thereof adjacent said center line and rotatable on an axis laterally spaced from said handle and disposed substantially in the longitudinal center line of said plate member.

3. A mop having a handle, a mop cloth pressing plate member having said handle pivoted thereto at one side of the longitudinal center line of said plate member and spaced from the ad- .jacent side of said plate member, and front and rear mopcloth supports substantially symmetricallydisposed with respect tosaid plate member, including a front support extending across the front end of said plate member and pivotally connectedto said handle pivot, and a rear wringer-rotatable about an axis laterally spaced from said handleon the side thereof adjacent said center line.

4.. A mop having a handle, a mop cloth pressing plate member having said handle pivoted thereto at one side of the longitudinal center line of'said plate member and spaced from the adjacentside-of said plate member, and front and rearmop cloth supports substantially symmetriciallydisposed with respect to said plate member, including rearwardly located cloth wringing means carried by said handle and pivoted on an axis laterally spaced from said handle and substantially in the longitudinal center line of said plate member, and a slotted front support having rearwardly extending laterally spaced portions forming :a communicating mop cloth receiving slot andsaid portions pivotally connected to said handle pivot.

5. A mop having a handle, a mop cloth pressing plate member having said handle pivoted thereto at one side of the longitudinal center line of said-plate member and spaced inwardly from the adjacent side of said plate member, and front and rear mop'cloth supports substantially symmetrically disposed with respect to said plate member -and-including a rear wringer rotatable aboutanaxislaterally spaced from said handle on the'side thereof adjacent said center line, both said handleflpivot and the axis of said Wringer beingadisposed adjacent the longitudinal center line of said plate member.

6. A mop'having ahan'dle, a mop cloth pressing member pivoted thereon between the front and rear ends of said member, a rear mop cloth supporaand a cooperating front .mop cloth sup portpivoted on said handle pivot.

7. A mop having a handle, a mop cloth pressing-memberhaving said'handle pivoted thereon between the'front and rear ends of said member, a front mop cloth support overlying the front end of said member and having a quick detachable connectionto'the pivot of said handle on said pressing member, anda rear mop cloth support rotatable towring the mop cloth.

*8. A mop having a handle, a mopcloth pressing member having said handlepivoted thereon between the front and rear ends of said member, a front .mop cloth. support overlying the front -end of said member and movable toward and jfromtthelatteryand a quick detachable pivotal connection for said front support including means moving said support into releasing posi- "tion as :said support is moved away from said cmember.

9. A mophaving a handle, a mop cloth pressuing member having said handle pivoted thereon front and rear mop cloth supports symmetrically disposed with respect to said member including a front support pivoted on the handle pivot .and a 'oooperating rear support, and a mop cloth car ried on said supports and normally pulling .said front 'support down about its pivot and toward said pressing member.

free to swing relative to and with said member and having a rearwardly extending portion pivoted coaxially with the connection connecting said member and handle. V

11. In a mop, a handle, and a mop cloth pressing plate pivotally connected to said handle, said plate having an upturned mop cloth engaging front edge, and a swinging front mop cloth support having its front end terminating short of said upturned edge and pivoted at its rear end adjacent the pivot of said plate to said handle.

12. In a mop, a handle having spaced depending means at the front end thereof, a mop cloth pressing member having spaced upstanding means, pivot means pivotally connecting said depending and upstanding means, and a front mop cloth support overlying said member and having rearwardly extending arms extending between said spaced means and hooked under the pivot means thereof.

13. In a mop, a handle having spaced depending means at the front end thereof, a mop cloth pressing member having spaced upstanding means, pivot means pivotally connecting said depending and upstanding means, and a front mop cloth support overlying said member and having rearwardly extending means pivoted on said pivot means.

14. A mop having a handle, a mop cloth pressing member pivoted to said handle between the front and rear ends of said member, a rear mop cloth support, and a pivoted front cloth support having its front end terminating short of the front end of said member and overlying the front end of said member and movable downward with the cloth when the mop is raised from the fioor to swing said member about its pivot and bring the rear end thereof into engagement with the handle in spaced relation above the mop cloth.

15. A mop having a handle, a mop cloth pressing member pivoted on said handle between the front and rear ends of said member, a rotatable rear mop cloth support, a pivoted front mop cloth support overlying and swinging relative to said member and having means operating to release its pivot when swinging said support upward about said pivot, and a mop cloth carried by said front and rear supports and releasably connected to said rear support and of such length as to prevent such upward movement of said front support while said cloth is connected to said rear support.

16. A mop having a handle, a mop cloth pressing member pivoted to said handle, a front mop cloth support carried by the mop and substantially symmetrically disposed with respect to said member, including a front support overlying the front end of said member and having hooked rear ends hooked under the pivot of said pressing member on said handle and movable downward with the cloth when the mop is raised from the floor to swing said member about its pivot to bring its rear end into engagement with the handle in spaced relation above the mop cloth, rotatable wringing means for wringing the mop cloth in the space below said member, and a mop cloth carried on said front support and wringing means and of such length as while connected to the latter to prevent said front support from swinging up to release its hooked ends from said pivot.

17. A mop having a handle, a mop cloth pressing member pivoted thereon, and front and rear mop cloth supports substantially symmetrically disposed with respect to said member and each having a transverse slotted portion for receiving an endless mop cloth and passage means leading to said slots for permitting the insertion of said endless mop cloth therein, said front support having spaced rearwardly extending arms removably connected to the pivot of said member and having said passage means between said arms, and said rear support comprising a rotatable wringing member journalled substantially in the longitudinal center line of said member and having transversely disposed oppositely extending portions providing said passage means therebetween.

18. In a mop, a handle, a plurality of ferrules carried thereon, one at the extremity of said handle and having depending spaced ears, and the other in rear of said first mentioned ferrule and having laterally extending spaced ears, a mop cloth pressing member pivoted on said first mentioned ears and having a pivot pin extending between the latter, a transverse slot forming mop supporting member overlying the front end of said member and having rearwardly extending arms and hooked end portions on said arms hooked under said pivot pin, and a slot forming wringing member rotatably mounted on said laterally extending ears and also having passage means leading to the slot therein.

19. In a mop, a handle, a plurality of ferrules carried thereon, one at the extremity of said handle and having depending spaced ears, and the other in rear of said first mentioned ferrule and having laterally extending spaced ears, a mop cloth pressing member pivoted on said first mentioned ears and having a pivot pin extending between the latter, a transverse slot forming mop supporting member overlying the front end of said member and having rearwardly extending arms and hooked end portions on said arms hooked under said pivot pin, and a slot forming wringing member rotatably mounted on said laterally extending ears and also having passage means leading to the slot therein, said depending ears, pivot pin and arms being disposed in substantial alignment with said handle and at one side of the longitudinal center line of said first mentioned member, and said wringing member being rotatable about an axis substantially in the longitudinal center line of said wringing member and of said first mentioned member.

20. In a mop, a front end supporting member therefor having a slotted portion in which an endless mop cloth is disposed during use, and having a lateral aperture through which said mop cloth is inserted in or removed from said slot, and said aperture being spaced at one side of the transverse center line of said slot and having generally transverse laterally spaced elongated guiding portions defining said aperture and between which the mop cloth is inserted when being thr aded into or out of said slot and said,

portions terminating in upturned hook portions,

adapted to engage under a transverse supporting rod.

JOSEPH E. ERICSON. 

